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2nd largest population in the world with around 1.13 billion people. Almost 70% of Indians live in rural areas, although in recent decades migration to larger cities has led to a dramatic increase in the country's urban population.

The Republic of India is a country in South Asia. It borders Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north-east; and Bangladesh and Burma to the east. India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia in the Indian Ocean.

Over 800 million Indians (80.5%) are Hindu. Other religious groups include Muslims (13.4%), Christians (2.3%), Sikhs (1.9%), Buddhists (0.8%), Jains (0.4%), Jews, Zoroastrians, Bahá'ís and others. Tribal groups constitute 8.1% of the population.

There are innumerable national, regional, local, religious, seasonal and social festivities in India. This is not surprising considering the fact that India is the land of gods, goddesses, saints, gurus and prophets. Festivals are characterised by colour, gaiety, enthusiasm, feasts and a variety of prayers and rituals.

From snow topped mountains to sun drenched beaches, farmland to high-tech urban centres, India’s landscape is as diverse as the people who inhabit it.

The wide variety in India’s terrain makes for a wide variety of climatic conditions. North India’s seasons are similar to those in the UK, so when it is summer here, it is summer there. Summer temperatures climb to the early twenties and there is often high rainfall; winter is much cooler and temperatures fall to single figures.

Indian food is characterized by its use of many spices and herbs. Considered by some to be one of the world's most diverse cuisines, there is a wide assortment of dishes and cooking techniques. Though a significant portion of Indian food is vegetarian, many traditional Indian dishes also include chicken, goat, lamb, fish, and other meats. Beef is not eaten by most Hindus, while ham and pork are not consumed by Muslims.
From the sixteenth century, several European countries, including the United Kingdom, started arriving in India as traders. By 1856, most of India was under the control of the British East India Company. After an unsuccessful nationwide insurrection of rebelling military units, India came under the direct rule of the British Crown as a colony of the British Empire.

During the first half of the twentieth century, a nationwide struggle for independence was launched by the Indian National Congress and other political organisations. This included a non-violent movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in the 1920s and 1930s as part of which millions of protesters engaged in mass campaigns of civil disobedience. Finally, on 15 August 1947, India gained independence from British rule, but was soon partitioned into the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. Three years later, on 26 January 1950, India became a republic and a new constitution came into effect.

India has the world's second largest labour force, with 516.3 million people, 60% of whom are employed in agriculture and related industries; 28% in services and related industries; and 12% in industry. Major agricultural crops include rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, and potatoes. Major industries include automobiles, cement, chemicals, consumer electronics, food processing, machinery, mining, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, steel, transportation equipment, and textiles.